Can a Continuous Wound Infiltration System Replace Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management after a Single-Port Access Laparoscopy?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether continuous wound infiltration (CWI) can replace intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) and to investigate effective pain control strategies after a single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy for adnexal disease. Methods: A total of 470 patients (the CWI group n = 109, the IV PCA group n = 198, and the combined group n = 163) who underwent an SPA adnexal laparoscopy and who received CWI or IV PCA for postoperative pain management were retrospectively reviewed. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h (h) after surgery and the total amount of fentanyl administered via IV PCA were collected. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the total amount of rescue antiemetic drugs administered were also evaluated. Results: The mean NRS pain scores at 6 h (combined vs. PCA vs. CWI, 3.08 vs. 3.44 vs. 3.96, p < 0.001), 12 h (2.10 vs. 2.65 vs. 2.82, p < 0.001), and 24 h (1.71 vs. 2.01 vs. 2.12, p < 0.001) after surgery were significantly lower in the combined group. CWI showed a similar pain-reduction effect after surgery compared to IV PCA, except for the acute phase (within 6 h after surgery). The incidence of PONV during the entire hospitalization period was significantly lower in the CWI group compared to the groups using IV PCA (p < 0.05). The combined group had a significantly lower incidence of PONV and use of rescue antiemetics than the IV PCA group (p < 0.05). The combined group required significantly less total PCA fentanyl compared to the IV PCA group (combined vs. PCA, 622.1 μg vs. 703.1 μg, p < 0.001). Conclusions: CWI is an effective alternative to IV PCA and has fewer side effects. Combined use of CWI and IV PCA may be an ideal pain management strategy, offering a strong pain-reduction effect and only moderate side effects.